Epilog Fusion M2 40 Laser Engraver

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• The primary software used to print directly from the Makerspace computers is Illustrator. Please ensure that your line weight is always set to .001 for cutting.
• AutoCAD - select a windowSolidWorks: from drawing sheet, 1:1 scale, need to figure out line weights
• Can use anything for raster (eg. Photoshop)

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• Process: File → Print → Epilog → Setup → Preferences (this is the dashboard)
• Cut ⇒ set stroke width to 0.001 points for cutting as a vector operation
• Engrave ⇒ Anything above 0.001 point (raster operation)

Options to set in Preferences (Dashboard)

• Resolution: default is 600.  Max is 1200.  Go lower for faster etching.  Doesn't affect cutting.
• Autofocus on (and set material thickness size) or turn autofocus off and set grid up/down height with jog functions and jig.  Autofocus is not really autofocus since you have to manually put in the thickness
• Manual focus → place registration tool on focus head, then click focus on panel, then use the joystick to adjust the height of the table.
• If the material varies in height, jog to desired location and then focus.  Don't save anything → just uncheck autofocus and don't change stage height
• Reset → sends head back to home location without changing the height
• Center engraving → not used often. Sets a new home position. And that position is set by eye (manually).
• Pick raster/vector (cut) or both.  E.g. If you have both types in the file and set it to raster it will ignore the cut lines (stroke weight < 0.001pt)
• Make your Illustrator Artboard/paper drawing size the same as your stock size, and then make the size in preferences the same too.
• There are separate laser settings for both raster and vector
• Look in the manual for setting guidelines, but note that you may have to interpolate or guess, if the material or thickness is not covered explicitly
• Balance speed and power - Its useful to experiment with new materials/thicknesses to get best balance of cutting/burning
• Cutting small areas → head won't get to full speed in full areas.  10% speed per inch of width
• Engrave direction - generally starts at the back of the machine and works forwards ⇒ not often changed.
• May want to reverse to avoid soot from covering freshly etched surface
• Image dithering ⇒ not often changed.  May want to adjust for images or photos
  • “Jarvis” setting may work better with photos
• Speed Comp ⇒ Reduces speed by ½
• Power Comp ⇒ Reduces speed when rounding corners with cutting
• Sometimes a faster setting with multiple passes will work better because it doesn't burn as much. Higher power can lead to flame  

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Raster: variable depth control (Color mapping)

• Use RGB color mode (File → New → Color map RGB)
• Set color → laser cutting values in
• Print → Setup → Preferences → Color mapping

Loading presets for different materials (Advanced tab)

• • Print → Setup → Preferences → Advanced
  • Save and load preset settings for laser and piece size
  • Can dowload presets from Epilog

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